Council Post: 20 Impressive Questions To Ask A Potential Employer At A Job Interview (2023)

The interview process is a critical stage for any job seeker, and one of the most crucial moments is when the interviewer invites the candidate to ask any questions they may have. This not only gives the candidate a chance to learn more about the company and the job expectations, but it also helps the interviewer gauge the candidate’s interest and enthusiasm.

However, not all end-of-interview questions asked by candidates are created equal; some will make a stronger impression on potential employers than others. Below, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members explore great questions to ask during this important stage of the interview process and highlight why they are so effective.

1. ‘What is the biggest issue or challenge the company is currently facing?’

It is all about mindset and positioning. Your question has to show that you care about the company even before you join it. A question you may ask is, “What is the biggest issue or challenge the company is currently facing, and how can my role help address it?” By asking this question, you show that you are a team player. The answer may give you insights about the company and whether it’s a good fit for you. - Abraham Khoureis, Dr. Abraham Khoureis

2. ‘How are high performers recognized and rewarded?’

Remember, you are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Ask questions that align with your values. For example, if you value integrity and honesty, you could ask, “How are high performers recognized and rewarded?” with a follow-up, “How are underperformers identified and managed?” If you value fun, you could ask, “Tell me about the last time you laughed at work.” - Yvette Costa, Velocity Advisory Group

3. ‘How could I impress you in the first three months?’

I’ve always been a believer in expectations management, so I would ask, “How could I impress you in the first three months?” It shows the hiring manager that you are eager to hit the ground running and make a positive contribution to the organization. It also gives you the opportunity to watch the interviewer’s response, as it will inform your expectations of how they want you to perform and contribute. - Kevin Kan, Break Out Consulting Asia

4. ‘If I succeed in getting this role, what do you think my three- and six-month goals would be?’

“If I succeed in getting this role, and to hit the ground running, what do you think my three- and six-month goals would be?” would be a great question to ask to show willingness and the room for preparation. As the question states, it allows the employee to “hit the ground running.” It also allows the interviewers to see the candidate as they would in the role to see how the candidate would fit. - Dr. Rakish Rana, The Clear Coach

5. ‘What do you enjoy most about working at this company?’

This question shows that the candidate is interested in learning more about the company culture and what it’s like to work there. It also gives the interviewer a chance to share their personal experiences and opinions, which can help the candidate get a better sense of the company’s values and priorities. - Anna Tan, Coaching Go Where

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6. ‘What strengths and weaknesses did the Covid-19 pandemic expose for this organization?’

I would recommend asking, “What strengths and weaknesses did the Covid-19 pandemic expose for this organization?” The answer could tell you whether you’re potentially joining a team that prides itself on firefighting, risk management, being reactive or reflective. - Sheri Nasim, Center for Executive Excellence

7. ‘Why was I chosen for an interview from among all the applicants?’

Be bold and get personal. If it’s at the start of the interview, consider asking, “Why was I chosen for an interview from among all the applicants?” to see what features appealed to them most, and work from those. If it’s at the end of the interview, ask, “Which of my strengths or skills would serve me best in this position or company, and why?” This will reveal to both sides of the table whether you are a fit. - Tanya Chernova, Tanya Chernova Global Corp

8. ‘According to company expectations, what traits do you think are essential to succeed in this role?’

One good question to ask is, “According to company expectations, what traits do you think are essential to succeed in this role?” It is a good opportunity to expand on the key attributes the company looks for in employees and how you can position yourself as the ideal candidate. This information helps you demonstrate how you can bring value to the company through your unique set of abilities. - Paula Vidal Castelli, Paula Vidal Castelli Intl., LLC

9. ‘What is the biggest reason that someone would want to work for this business?’

It’s cheeky, but I would ask, “What is the biggest reason that someone would want to work for this business?” The answer will help the prospective employee see if there is a fit in values and culture and if the business’s mission is aligned with the candidate’s. As someone from the company, I like that question because it tells me that the prospect is a self-starter. - Angela Sedran, The Business Growth Accelerator

10. ‘What are the best ways to differentiate one’s performance that align nicely with the company culture?’

This question not only makes the interviewer think deeply, but it also shows that your work style leans towards excellence. It also demonstrates that you are a team player who doesn’t want to harm the company culture, but instead work within it. - Karan Rhodes, Shockingly Different Leadership (SDL)

11. ‘Can you tell me why you joined this company and what keeps you here?’

One of the best questions for an interviewee to ask at this point in the process is, “Can you tell me why you joined this company and what keeps you here?” This question combines two essential goals of any interviewee: connecting with the interviewer and getting to know the company culture. It also is telling not only why they joined the company but, more importantly, why they continue to stay. - Christopher Mullen, PhD, chrismullen.org

12. ‘For you, what is most important in this role?’

My favorite first question is always, “For you, what is most important in this role?” as this specific question will be filtered by the person’s core values. Depending on the answer, you will understand this person’s real motivation. It is a great way to know if you will be a good fit for this job, with this person as your manager. The aim is to work with someone who is in line with your core values. - Julien Fortuit, Julien Fortuit Agency

13. ‘How does this role interact with other parts of the team and organization?’

You can show curiosity and telegraph your focus on teamwork by asking, “How does this role interact with other parts of the team and organization?” The answer should give you insight into the group dynamic and level of collaboration. If your interviewer is a member of the hiring team, a great follow-up question is to ask more about their role as a way to forge that human connection. - Andrea Miller, Veritas Leadership, LLC

14. ‘What most excites you about the work you do?’

I’m energized by stories, so I might ask, “What most excites you about the work you do?” A purer form of this inquiry might be, “Outside of work, what fills you up?” I’m interviewing them too, not just the other way around, so I want to surface the signals that help inform how much I’ll enjoy spending time with this person. You’ll also get a read about how they value boundaries and balance. - Duncan Skelton, Duncan Skelton Coaching Ltd

15. ‘What are the biggest challenges or obstacles I can expect to face in this position?’

This is a great question to ask because it shows that you are proactive and want to be prepared for any challenges you may face in the role. Following that up with, “And how can I best prepare to meet these challenges?”’ also demonstrates that you are committed to succeeding in the position and want to know what you can do to ensure your success. - Jay Rai, www.jayrai.com

16. ‘How does this role fulfill the strategy and purpose of the organization?’

This is a great question to ask the interview panel, as it does two things: It offers you insight into where this role fits in the ecosystem, and it gives detail about the culture and values that account for all roles driving toward purpose. It makes the recruiting team aware of your propensity to understand strategy too. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

17. ‘In what areas of work did my predecessors struggle, and how would you have preferred to see them resolved?’

Ask the recruiter, “In what areas of work did my predecessors struggle, and how would you have preferred to see them resolved?” This opens the discussion to the employer’s pain points and helps the candidate have a better grasp of how the employer prefers for issues to be dealt with. The question also clarifies what the employer views as a problem or lack of performance. - Karina Ochis, Prof. Dr. Karina Ochis

18. ‘How has your career been, and what excites you to be here every day?’

This question shows that you are holistic and have leadership thinking. It helps you to understand what working in the company is like and what success will look like. It also clarifies the company’s culture, leadership, expectations and challenges; and further, it lets you know whether they align with your aspirations and values. - Dennis Foo, Pu Xin ASPIRA Advisory Limited - Shanghai | Hong Kong

19. ‘Given everything you’ve heard, can you share your thoughts with me on where I do and don’t fit this role?’

I love a good closing question and when people are able to truly demonstrate the ability to hear real feedback and thoughts. This type of question truly sets the tone for the candidate’s potential impact. - Stacey Engle, Stacey Engle Leadership Coaching

20. ‘What is the first and most important task I will be assigned to?’

The answer to this question says more than the job description, company values, mission and vision on the website. It whispers about the existing team dynamics, current culture and care shown to the employees. - Senem Anataca, 180UTC